Mob attacks police officer in PNG

A POLICE officer has been badly injured after a group of men bashed him up while he was investigating an abduction complaint in Popondetta, Northern.

Assistant Commissioner of Police and Southern Region police commandeer Allan Kundi said First Constable Remey Magoney had gone to the area last Saturday to investigate the complaint by a girl’s father.

He said between 9am and 10am, Magoney, based at the Popondetta police station, followed the man to the area after he complained that his daughter had been abducted.

He said Magoney, from Fincshaffen, Morobe, was hit on the head with stones and other weapons at Higaturu by a group of about 14 men.

“They had initially injured him with a stone and when he fell on the ground, they continued beating him with stones and sticks.”

He said the doctor who treated him at Popondetta General Hospital said Magoney suffered a fractured skull and needed an urgent brain operation in Port Moresby.

Kundi requested the Deputy Commissioner operations in Port Moresby for him to be airlifted by the police helicopter from Popondetta.

“I have instructed the acting provincial commander to go ahead with investigations so that those responsible must be brought to justice for their horrendous attack on the innocent police officer,” he said.

“I am appealing to the community to assist police with investigations to apprehend the suspects.

“Otherwise they should voluntarily surrender to police.

“If they don’t, police will definitely use everything possible to arrest those involved in attacking the police officer.”